Question

It is said that if you are with someone else, you do not have to outrun the wolf, you just

have to outrun the other person.
Suppose that a wolf can run 15 m/s, you can run 10 m/s and your friend can run 5 m/s.
You start 15 meters away from the wolf and your friend starts 20 meters, away from the
wolf.
Set up three equations and then answer using your perfered method
(table/graphing/theory): Who gets caught first and when (in seconds)?

Answer 1

The three equations:

• y = 15x, wolf
• y = 10x + 15, you
• y = 5x + 20, friend

Compare the equations with wolf and you and with wolf and your friend:

• 15x = 10x + 15
• 5x = 15
• x = 3 seconds

It will take 3 seconds before you are caught by the wolf

• 15x = 5x + 20
• 10x = 20
• x = 2 seconds

It will take 2 seconds before your friend is caught by the wolf, he will be caught a second before you.